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The Foreign Correspondent

Book 9 in the series:Night Soldiers

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The Foreign Correspondent by Alan Furst is a pre-World War II spy thriller set in Europe, focusing on the protagonist Carlo Weisz, a foreign correspondent involved in espionage activities in Paris, Berlin, and other European cities. The plot revolves around Weisz's role in running an underground anti-fascist newspaper, 'Liberazione,' and his interactions with various intelligence agencies, as well as his personal relationships amidst the looming threat of war. The writing style of the book is praised for its atmospheric descriptions of European cities, authentic portrayal of historical events, and the inner life of the protagonist.

Characters:

The characters are realistically portrayed with flaws and complexity, but some are noted as lacking depth, reflecting the struggles of ordinary people caught in extreme circumstances.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by elegant prose that immerses the reader in the historical setting, with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and detail.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Carlo Weisz, a foreign correspondent who navigates political intrigue, relationship struggles, and anti-fascist efforts in a pre-WWII Europe, but lacks the expected excitement and resolution.

Setting:

The setting effectively conveys pre-WWII Europe, particularly Paris, immersing the reader in the political and social atmosphere of impending conflict.

Pacing:

The pacing is notably slow, leading to a buildup of tension that doesn't culminate effectively, resulting in a less thrilling reading experience.

Notes:

Alan Furst's novels focus on the pre-WWII rise of fascism and WWII itself.
The Foreign Correspondent is part of the Night Soldiers series, which has 11 books.
The protagonist, Carlo Weisz, is a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Paris during the spring of 1939.
Carlo Weisz is an Italian immigrant and part of a group publishing an underground newspaper against Mussolini's regime.
The plot includes espionage, a love affair, and political intrigue involving British intelligence.
The book highlights the slow and often tedious reality of spycraft, contrasting with more action-oriented spy novels.
Furst's writing is praised for its immersive historical detail and realistic characters.
The narrative depicts a group of Italian expatriates trying to undermine fascism in Europe.
Furst is known for creating well-researched settings that evoke the atmosphere of 1930s Paris and the political tensions of the time.
Many readers find the pace of Furst's novels slow, with an anticlimactic ending despite interesting historical contexts.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for the novel include themes of political violence, murder, and the emotional toll of war and oppression experienced by characters.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the novel, primarily revolving around the protagonist's relationship with Christa, a former lover, which serves to humanize his character amid the political tension.

From The Publisher:

2007 Audie Award Finalist for Thriller/Suspense

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About the Author:

Alan Furst is widely recognized as the master of the historical spy novel. He is the author of Night Soldiers, Dark Star, The Polish Officer, The World at Night, Red Gold, Kingdom of Shadows, Blood of Victory, and Dark Voyage. Born in New York, he has lived for long periods in France, especially Paris. He now lives on Long Island, New York. Visit the author's website at AlanFurst.net.

 
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